Peach tree named &#34;Sweetmoon&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree, denominated ‘Sweetmoon’, has fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality and an attractive red skin. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2008/0586 filed on Mar. 17, 2008, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Sweetmoon’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of peachtree, Prunus persica which has been given the variety denomination‘Sweetmoon’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life withoutalteration both on the tree after growth completion and afterharvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone white flesh fruit forfresh market in August in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France.Contrast is made to ‘Zaitabo’ Big Top® (non-patented) yellow nectarinetree, ‘Merdame’ (Elegant Lady®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,399) peach tree,standard varieties, for reliable description. ‘Sweetmoon’ is a promisingcandidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruitswith very long shelf life without alteration before after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘Sweetmoon’ white peach tree originated in a cultivated area of thesouth of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, where it wastested. The ‘Sweetmoon’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross betweenthe ‘Maillarbinette’ (Belbinette®) (non-patented) white peach tree,which was used as the seed parent, and the ‘Maillarmagie’ (Magique®)(non-patented) white nectarine tree, which was used as the pollenparent. Both parents were produced as part of our breeding program.‘Sweetmoon’ was provisionally designated, tested and geneticallyidentified by a genetic profile, under number 03.28.16 PB and wasregistered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of theFrench Republic on Nov. 14, 2007 under number 1024470. It was obtainedby hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’(non-patented) rootstock tree. It has been determined to have uniquetree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial freshfruit production. There are no known effects of the standard ‘Franc InraMontclar®’ (non-patented) rootstock on the scion cultivar. Asexuallypropagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement,France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree blooms in March at Perpignanin the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. More particularly, itapproximately blooms between the 12^(th) and the 20^(th) of March undernormal climatic conditions, generally about 1 week later than the‘Zaitabo’ Big Top® (non-patented) yellow nectarine tree variety.

The first fruit of ‘Sweetmoon’ peach tree ripens between the end of Julyand the beginning of August, generally between 5 and 6 days later thanthe ‘Merdame’ (Elegant Lady®) (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,399) peach variety.More particularly, it approximately ripens between July 30^(th) andAugust 10^(th) under normal climatic conditions. The date of maturityvaries slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a twig bearing typical fruitspecimens of the new variety, and leaves of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows fruits of the new variety readyto be shipped, and a third fruit cut in half for depicting the fruitflesh, the pit cavity and the stone of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and size views of flowers ofthe new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of thenew variety.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘Sweetmoon’ is high, due tofruit very long shelf life without alteration before and afterharvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread tosemi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shootis present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Flowering beginssemi-late in springtime. The type of flower is non-showy with small tomedium petal size. Petals are dark pink. Leaf glands are present andreniform. Time of maturity for consumption is semi-late. The fruit fleshis white and its skin is thick, with a purple red blush on a redbackground. The stone is medium size. Fruit taste is semi-sweet.

In comparison to its male parent, which is ‘Maillarmagie’ (Magique®)(non-patented), the new variety is a peach tree instead of a nectarinetree.

Differences between blooming and ripening periods of the new variety andother cultivars are provided above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following was observed on trees intheir fourth growing season under the ecological conditions prevailingat the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientalesdepartement, France. All observations have been done on rootstockcultivar. The rootstock was a ‘Franc Inra Montclar®’ (non-patented)tree. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S.Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal HorticulturalSociety of Great Britain.

-   Tree:-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large as compared to other common            commercial peach cultivars. The tree size the first year was            approximately 280 cm. The tree was pruned during each            following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current seasons shoots growth could reach 80 cm. So            the tree size from the second year (second and next years)            reached a final height of 330 cm with current seasons shots            length comprised.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organisation,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1            meter in a same tree line.        -   Vigor.—Considered averagely vigorousThe present variety grew            from about 200 cm to 280 cm in height during the first            growing season. For second and following seasons, the            variety was pruned to an approximate height of 250 cm.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by            thinning to develop the remaining fruit into the desired            market sized fruit. The number of the fruit set varies with            the prevailing climatic conditions and cultural practices            employed during the bloom period, and is therefore not            distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was            necessary for the tree valorisation.        -   Form.—The ‘Sweetmoon’ variety has naturally a semi-spread to            semi-upright shape.        -   Density.—Considered medium dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions            and was selected for its hardiness. Experimentations on            different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised            between 350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of            the tree in all cases. No damages were caused by ascertained            temperatures as low as −12 degrees Celsius. The tree was            also very resistant to frosty springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 8.5 cm in diameter when measured at            a distance of approximately 30 cm above the soil level. The            branching begins at 50 cm above the soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered slightly rough, with folds of            papery scarfskin being present.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The lenticels            range in size from approximately 5.0 millimeters to 7.0            millimeters in width, and from 1.5 millimeters to 3.0            millimeters in height.        -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey            color (RHS Grey 201 D to RHS Black 202 D), whereas the            inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed Orange 166B).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color a little            more pronounced than lenticels outside color (RHS Grey 201 C            to RHS Black 202 C).-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium to thick for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach varieties. The            current season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 9.0            millimeters, and observed branches have a diameter comprised            between 20.0 and 30.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old            has no furrowed appearance.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 50 degrees and 70            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.-   Current season shoots:    -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Generally 24.0 millimeters to 34.0            millimeters.        -   Color of mature branches.—Medium brown (RHS Grey Brown 199            A).-   Current seasons shoots:    -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light            green (RHS Green 143 C to D) on lower part of new shoot            tips, whereas the upper part is colored in more or less            brown-red (varying from RHS Greyed Red 182 B to C).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf            measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,            current-season growth at approximately mid-shoot. The ratio            leaf length/leaf width ranges between 3.8 and 4.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 165.0 to 183.0 millimeters with            leaf petiole.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 40.0 to 49.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate and small.-   Leaf color:    -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 137 A).        -   Lower surface.—Medium Green (RHS Green 137 B to 137 C).        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.-   Mid-vein:    -   -   Color.—Light green with a cream touch (RHS Yellow Green 145            D).        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, it is found one leaf of normal size with one            or two smaller leaves (size-reduction of 50% and more).-   Leaf petioles:    -   -   Size.—Considered small.        -   Length.—About 9.0 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.7 mm.        -   Color.—Light green shading to cream-white (RHS Yellow Green            145 B to C).-   Leaf glands:    -   -   Size.—Considered small. Their length is about 1.2            millimeters.        -   Number.—Generally 2 and occasionally 4 glands per leaf.        -   Type.—Reniform.        -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf glands color is considered a            pale green (RHS Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf glands            color turn to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B).-   Leaf stipules:    -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in            the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is            possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a            normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:-   Flower buds:    -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral            buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is            evolving until blooming, with variables dimensions. Just            before blooming, floral buds are approximately 7.0            millimeters wide and approximately 16.0 millimeters long.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity            to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of            the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown            color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A); the corolla, formed by the            petals, is generally of pink color (RHS Red Purple 60 D).            Petals color shows an evolution until the end of flowering.            The buds are considered hardy under typical central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.        -   Hardiness.—No winter injury was noted during the last            several years of evaluation in the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement, with winter temperatures as            low as −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety            has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat            stress, but the variety showed a very good resistance in            orchard to temperatures up to 42 degrees Celsius with an            average temperature between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius during            3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—Generally March. The first bloom was observed            on Mar. 11, 2004.        -   Blooming time.—Considered semi-late season in relative            comparison to other commercial peach cultivars grown in the            Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of full            bloom is observed on March. The date of bloom varies            slightly with climatic conditions and cultural practices.            Thus the first full bloom was observed approximately on Mar.            16, 2004.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 11 days. This            characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic            conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a non-showy            type flower.        -   Flower size.—Considered small to medium. Flower diameter at            full bloom is approximately between 20.0 and 25.0            millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately 45            flowers per meter.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.-   Petal size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered small for the species.        -   Length.—Generally about 12.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally about 10.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Elongated with a round-shaped apex.        -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Petal color.—Dark Pink (RHS Red Purple 61 C to D) when            young, slightly darkening with advancing senescence.        -   Fragrance.—Generally slight.-   Petal claw:    -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a conic form with a            slightly rounded extremity.        -   Length.—Approximately 6.0 to 8.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Petal margins.—Generally very slightly undulated.-   Petal apex:    -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally dome-shaped.-   Flower pedicel:    -   -   Length.—Considered small and having an average length of            approximately 2.0 to 3.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—A medium brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 C to D).-   Floral nectaries:    -   -   Color.—A green yellow (varying from RHS Yellow 13 A to B to            RHS Yellow Green 150 A to B)-   Calyx:    -   -   Internal surface texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A) color.-   Sepals:    -   -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine            pubescent texture.        -   Size.—Small.        -   Color.—Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A).        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 45            stamens per flower.-   Anthers:    -   -   Generally.—Small in length.        -   Color.—Red to orange-red color (approximately RHS Greyed            Purple 178 A). Anthers are becoming yellow at maturity.        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow            color (Approximately RHS Yellow Orange 17 B to C). The            present variety is considered self fruitful            (self-pollinating).-   Filaments:    -   -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 10.0 to 15.0            millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally equal            to the pistil's length and superior to petals length.        -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple            62 C to D) to pink (RHS Red Purple 73 A to B).-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—Usually 1.        -   Generally.—Average in size.        -   Length.—Approximately 15.0 to 20.0 millimeters including the            ovary; Generally equal or slightly superior to filaments            length.        -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (varying from RHS Yellow            Green 150 D to RHS Yellow Green 151 D).        -   Surface texture.—Pubescent, particularly around the ovary.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm ripe condition (shipping            ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 25, 2005.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 6, 2005. The date of harvest            varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. The            ‘Sweetmoon’ variety has a semi-late date of picking, and a            grouped maturity: only 2 harvests in approximately 12 days            are generally necessary.-   Size:    -   -   Generally.—Considered large to very large, and homogeneous            in size.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 77.0 to 80.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 69.0 to 76.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally around 250.0 grams. This            characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.-   Fruit form:    -   -   Generally.—Round. The fruit is generally uniform in            symmetry, viewed from pistil end.        -   Fruit suture.—Wide-mouthed and slightly marked, extending            from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing or            stitching exists along the suture line.-   Suture:    -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a color similar to the whole            fruit color, a purple red (RHS Red Purple 59 A) on a red            background (RHS Red 46 A).-   Ventral surface:    -   -   Form.—Smooth.        -   Apex.—Non-prominent, depressed, very small.        -   Base.—Slightly wide-mouthed, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about            1.2 cm. Average width is about 2.0 cm.-   Fruit skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Considered very thick and strong, and tenacious            to moderately tenacious to the flesh depending on stage of            maturity.        -   Texture.—Slightly pubescent.        -   Taste.—Semi-sweet.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.-   Color:    -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is an homogenous and luminous            purple red (RHS Red Purple 59 A). The red blush covers 80%            to 90% of the fruit skin surface. The percentage of the            blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is generally            dependant upon the prevailing conditions under which the            fruit was grown.        -   Ground color.—The ground color appears on up to 20% of the            fruit skin surface, and is considered red (RHS Red 46 A). A            slight cream coloration (RHS Yellow Green Group 154 D) can            appear around the stem, on a very small surface (no more            than few square millimetres).        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 7.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A to 145 B).-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenously, slowly, long shelf-life.        -   Texture.—Very firm, very dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at            harvest maturity stage.        -   Fibers.—Generally not fibrous.        -   Aroma.—Pronounced.        -   Eating quality.—Considered very good and aromatic.        -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet. The Brix is superior to 13            and acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. The flavor            is considered aromatic.        -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.        -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This            characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per            tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding            climatic conditions.        -   Flesh color.—White flesh (RHS White Group 155 C) with a very            intense and star-shaped red pigmentation (RHS Red Purple 61            A to C) into the stone cavity and up to 10 millimeters            around the stone cavity.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety. The stone size            varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop            load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 34.0 to 38.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 26.0 to 28.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 18.0 to 19.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Elliptic.        -   Base.—Generally straight.-   Apex:    -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is short and acuminate.        -   Stone cavity.—Considered medium size, with an elliptic-form            and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.-   Stone surface:    -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its            entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced toward the apex.            The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief is prominent            generally and present basally.        -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by            more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more            prominent at the apical tip.-   Ventral edge:    -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of            approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture.-   Dorsal edge:    -   -   Shape.—Grooved.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally            considered a light orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange 176 D) to            red-brown (RHS Greyed Red 178 B).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is generally absent, depending            on climatic conditions between blooming period and stone            hardening.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium.        -   Length.—Approximately 20.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 12.0 millimeters.        -   Thickness.—Approximately between 3.0 and 4.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Considered oblate and elliptic.        -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—The kernel skin is a light orange-brown (RHS Greyed            Orange 167 C) with darker streaks (RHS Greyed Orange 166 C).            The almond is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 D). The            kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit            maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘Sweetmoon’ is considered to be a            peach tree of the semi-late season of maturity, and which            produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively            colored. Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent            for uncooked consumption, crunchy or melting when at full            maturity. Due to their flesh quality, firmness and density,            they can also be commercialized as 4^(th) range product            (packed fruit or fruit in bags for example). And they are            also useful for both local and very long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Good to very good. Fruits have a slow            maturation. Storage should be possible at 2.0 degree Celsius            for more than one month.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered good. The fruit of the new            peach variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin            damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and            packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest permit 2 weeks to 3 weeks —            shipping at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin. Although the new            variety of peach tree possesses the described            characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions            prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            France, it should be understood that variations of the usual            magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing            conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and            horticultural management are to be expected.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by fruits of very long shelf life withoutalteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet whiteflesh of high eating quality and an attractive skin, with a very highpercentage of red blush.